An Orlando woman was killed late Tuesday when an 18-wheeler crashed in Blackville, striking a utility pole and setting off a shower of sparking power lines that drew a fast emergency response. The wreck happened around 10:58 p.m. near the intersection of Solomon Blatt Boulevard and Dexter Street, according to officials. The Barnwell County coroner later confirmed the victim was a 37-year-old from Orlando.
According to WRDW/WAGT, the coroner identified the victim as 37-year-old Shada Pierre of Orlando. The station reported that the 18-wheeler hit a utility pole and that power lines at the site were seen sparking as crews arrived.
Where the crash happened
The collision unfolded in central Blackville near Solomon Blatt Boulevard and Dexter Street, an intersection tucked close to local businesses and nearby homes. The South Carolina Department of Transportation's city map lists both streets within Blackville, matching the location cited by officials; see the SCDOT for reference.
Why truck crashes matter
Crashes involving large trucks remain a stubbornly deadly slice of American road life. In 2024, 5,340 people were killed in crashes that involved large trucks, and about 70 percent of those who died were occupants of other vehicles. That imbalance underscores how vulnerable people in smaller cars can be in these collisions; see NHTSA.
As reported by WRDW/WAGT, authorities had not yet released additional details about the truck driver or whether any charges might be filed. Barnwell County officials or state troopers are expected to provide more information as the investigation moves forward.
